Dynamic Imaging of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells with [18F]Tetrafluoroborate Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

There is no clinically validated chimeric antigen receptor T-cell imaging platform to date. The sodium-iodide symporter represents a sensitive and clinically relevant reporter to image Car T-cells by PET scan. TLP PET imaging of NIS CAR T-cell allows investigators to non-invasively track infused cells in vivo and has a potential to predict efficacy and toxicity of CAR T-cell therapy.

Efficient imaging of CAR T-cells enables the evaluation of T-cell trafficking and expansion and allows the development of strategies to overcome the limitations. The method described in this protocol are simple and can be applied to other CAR constructs beyond the ones shown in this study. Start with the isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells or PBMCs from the blood sample using the standard density gradient technique.